Daytime Emmys 2021: Alex Trebek, Larry King win posthumous awards

Other winners included soap opera 'General Hospital', which won best drama, and Kelly Clarkson for outstanding entertainment talk show host

Host Sheryl Underwood introduces a tribute to the late talk show hosts, pictured on screen from left, Regis Philbin, Alex Trebek and Larry King during the 48th Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, June 25, 2021. Natas / Daytime Emmys via AP

The Daytime Emmys turned into a love letter to Alex Trebek, honouring the beloved Jeopardy! host and the show seven months after his death.

Trebek won as game show host and Jeopardy! earned game show honours on Friday night.

ABC's General Hospital claimed four trophies, including best drama. Maurice Benard took lead actor honours for the third time as Sonny Corinthos.

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood of CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful won as lead actress, adding to her trophy from two years ago for her role as Steffy Forrester.

It was a family affair, with the children of Trebek and Larry King accepting on their late fathers’ behalf.

Trebek’s son, Matt, and daughter, Emily, stood behind the host’s podium on the quiz show’s set. Trebek died of pancreatic cancer in November at age 80.

Matt and Emily Trebek, children of the late Alex Trebek, accept the award for outstanding game show host for 'Jeopardy!' on his behalf during the 48th Daytime Emmy Awards. Natas / Daytime Emmys via AP

"For as long as we can remember, he was always so proud to be a part of Jeopardy!, to work on a show that was based on knowledge, risk and the challenge – people had to think," Trebek's son said. "He loved every bit of it."

Emily said, "He was always excited to go to work, even during his battle with cancer. He was so fortunate that he was able to do what he loved, and we know that he not once took it for granted."

It was Trebek’s third straight victory and sixth overall in the category. He was nominated a record 32 times during his career.

Executive producer Mike Richards dedicated the best game show trophy to Trebek, who hosted for 37 years.

Executive producer Mike Richards accepts the award for Outstanding Game Show for 'Jeopardy!'. Natas / Daytime Emmys via AP

"He was more than just a game show host, he was a legend, a towering figure," Richards said in pre-taped remarks. "He believed that Jeopardy! was more than just a game show. He loved it because it stood for facts, competition, and the celebration of intelligence."

Kelly Clarkson’s eponymous talk show earned two trophies. The singer was honoured as host, beating out daytime newcomer Drew Barrymore, among others, and the show won in the entertainment talk category.

Kelly Clarkson accepts the award for outstanding entertainment talk show host for 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'. Natas / Daytime Emmys via AP

Trebek was remembered in a special tribute segment, along with Regis Philbin and King. Philbin died last July at age 88. Among those honouring Trebek in taped comments were US first lady Jill Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“I got to talk with him a few years ago, and he expressed to me how proud he was to be a Canadian,” Trudeau said. “I had to tell him that all Canadians are incredibly proud that he’s one of us as well.”

King, who died in January at age 87, won as informative talk show host for his eponymous show on Ora TV. His sons, Chance and Cannon, accepted.

“This last season was a testament to his love for broadcasting,” Chance King said. “As much as he is gone, he is with us in our hearts forever.”

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Marla Adams and Max Gail won supporting actor trophies.

Adams plays Dina Mergeron on CBS' The Young and the Restless. The actor, aged 82, accepted at home with the Emmy statue on a table behind her. Y&R also won the best writing category.

Gail, 78, appeared on stage while socially distanced because of the coronavirus pandemic to accept for his role as Mike Corbin on General Hospital. It was the actor's second trophy in the supporting category, having won in 2019. GH also won directing honours.

Red Table Talk, featuring Jada Pinkett Smith, her daughter, Willow, and her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, won for informative talk show.

Sheryl Underwood of The Talk hosted.